Manitoba Farm Mentorship is guided by a Steering Committee (SC) of successful farmers, mentors and interns who share the collective vision of a just, productive and stable agricultural system, in which everyone is supplied with affordable, exciting and nutritious food. There is a great diversity of farming techniques, operation types, and knowledge represented on the steering committee. It is a dynamic body that adds a different dimension to Manitoba's farming landscape.
Currently our SC is comprised of the following individuals:
Leadership Team
Marcus Rempel (Ploughshares Community Farm): I am a member of Ploughshares Community Farm, an agrarian Christian community on the banks of the Brokenhead River southeast of Beausejour.
I moved here hungry for a closer, more trustworthy connection to my daily bread. I wonder who of this generation will people the land, will work it with intelligence and love. To go against the tide that is draining the land of farmers, they will need courage and skill; for this they will need teaching and support. Stewardship of the land calls for mentorship of its young.
That's what Manitoba Farm Mentorship is about, and why I'm a part of it.
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Rounding out the Steering Committee:
Jody Andrews - Jody is a fourth generation prairie farmer. His expertise lies in organic vegetable production and his interests include mixed farming, community gardens and farmers' markets. As a member of the MFM Steering Committee, Jody supports human scale farming. Jody currently works for Manitoba Housing and cultivates a 120 square foot community garden plot. |
Clint Cavers (Harborside Farms): My family and I produce ethically sound natural meat products on our farm in Pilot Mound. We feel that educating new farmers with environmentally conscious, sustainable and profitable farming methods is the most effective way to a secure food system.
The Manitoba Farm Mentorship Program allows us to help new and re-strategizing farmers through the difficult periods many people face when looking at a career in agriculture.
This is a very worthwhile and exciting program.
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Janine Gibson: Janine is a mother and grandmother living on a small mixed, off grid cooperative farm south of Steinbach.
She has visited over 1000 organic farms across Canada and the States delivering organic inspection services in the areas of Crops, Livestock and Processing as an independent inspector and trainer.
She is currently teaching Organic Crop Production Techniques and Organic Livestock Production by distance education through Brandon’s Assiniboine Community College.
Janine is the Chairperson of the Organic Food Council of Manitoba (OFCM) and represents their eater (consumer), producer and processor members on the Organic Technical Committee keeping the Canadian Organic Standards current. Janine is OFCM’s member on the MFM Steering Committee. |
Wian Prinsloo (Prinsloo Pastures)
David Neufeld (Room to Grow Greenhouse and Guesthouse): In the mid 90s I had an opportunity to walk the trendier streets of Winnipeg asking restaurant cooks how they would respond to local farmers growing organic food for them. Every single one was excited about the possibility. For the past 20 years we've been hosting young wannabe farmers on our farm, many with desires and plans to become farmers by learning from experienced farmers. I and other food/farming activists in Manitoba realized through our work with OFCM, Harvest Moon Society and other orgs that there seemed to be a need - that of bringing the wannabes together with the experienced farmers to grow food for local needs. I've enjoyed being involved in the creation of MFM and am happy that we have great staff and inspired leadership. |
Kate Storey (Poplar Glen Organic Farm): Kate and her husband raise grain and grass-fed beef in the scenic parkland near Grandview. They transitioned their farm to organic production in the 90's and they've never looked back.
Kate joined the mentorship program to help new organic farmers find information on crop rotations, animal husbandry and organic markets and to build the organic network. |